Friday, November 14, 2014

Grenoble (AFP) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 77, weakened by illness from a stroke in 2013 and whose state of health is the subject of recurring rumors, has been hospitalized in France, nearly seven months after his re-election for a fourth five-year term.

The hospital in Grenoble (eastern France) was confirmed by a French government source who did not specify the reason. Contacted by AFP, the clinic would not tell his health.

Mr. Bouteflika had been treated for nearly three months last year in the military hospital of Val-de-Grâce in Paris, following his stroke.

Asked about his hospitalization in Grenoble, the Presidency Algeria has not confirmed, merely stating that a statement would be released in the evening.

By late morning, the Algerian news agency APS had reported a message read then on the news from 19H00 (1800 GMT) from Mr. Bouteflika to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the proclamation of the State of Palestine.

According to the French regional daily Le Dauphiné Libéré, Bouteflika was hospitalized in a cardiology and vascular disease clinical Alembert, a private institution. An entire floor of the clinic it would be reserved for security reasons.

A police source assured that Algerian President would have happened quietly Thursday in Grenoble, by air. The area around the clinic were protected by police Friday afternoon.

Some 35 CRS were stationed at the main entrances and screen entries and the clinical approach from the street where a dam is installed.

The clinic consists of two buildings. The head of the Algerian state would be in the main, according to the order of service because the other is not secure

-. Very few public appearances –

Since the beginning of the end of April 4th term, President Bouteflika has only rare public appearances, fueling rumors about his real state of health.

On November 1, he had visited El Alia cemetery on the outskirts of Algiers, to the graves of “martyrs” of the War of Independence on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the insurrection, he is a veteran.

According to images broadcast on Algerian television, he arrived in a wheelchair to the cemetery where are buried the greatest figures of the war of independence.

If the outputs are sparse, his television appearances are not. He is shown receiving his guests – heads of state and foreign ministers, ambassadors, members of the Algerian government – in a residence Zéralda seaside resort west of Algiers, which seems to have become his office

The last host was received Wednesday. This is the Venezuelan foreign minister, Rafael Ramirez, with whom he discussed the price of oil.

On Monday, he received the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, and his colleague Economy, Emmanuel Macron, parties in Algeria to attend the inauguration of a Renault factory.

Just before this appointment, Mr. Bouteflika has received fifteen submit their ambassadors from credentials. “It was very clear and very knowledgable records,” he told one of them.

Each of these appearances, Bouteflika appears slurred speech, speaking of a low voice. “Rani (I’m) much better,” he assured early October diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi after alarming rumors about his condition.

The residence Zéralda he receives is “fully equipped with wide hallways and large elevators allowing the patient to a wheelchair, “he told AFP photographer who was able to attend.

” It has a library and a cafeteria. The reception room is equipped with a ring when the guests start and end talks with the head of state, “said he detailed.